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TWHS production of `Death of a Salesman' short, but noteworthy
By
DAVID DOW BENTLEY III
“The
People’s Critic”
(
04.08.01) It
would be difficult to imagine a more intimidating project for a high
school Drama Department than the brilliantly complex play,
"Death of a Salesman," by Arthur Miller. |
But
as is usual, The Woodlands High School Theater is not afraid to
reach for the stars. W.H.S. currently holds the state University
Interscholastic League Championship for last year's triumph,
"The Shadowbox," and this reviewer will never forget the
school's exceptional production of "A Piece of My Heart"
last season.
The current production of Miller's groundbreaking 1949 play is this
year's I.L.C. entry, and is directed by Sandra Erlandson, Carlen J.
Gilseth, and Larry Wood. It stars the Drama Department's student
president, Lance Kramer, in the lead role of the salesman, Willy
Loman. In the 1998 Class Act production of "Annie," Mr.
Kramer established his skill at playing mature roles with his fine
Daddy Warbucks. Here, again, he plays a part well beyond his years
with considerable skill.
Co-stars include Devon Preston in a sensitive performance as Willy's
wife, Linda. Michael Geller and Adam DeCaulp play Willy's sons,
(Happy and Biff, respectively) who try desperately to understand
their troubled father and his suicidal mental confusion while losing
the edge in a job that has brought him to a point of tragic identity
crisis. Kevin Perkins does well as Bernard, the boy's childhood
buddy who goes on to success as a lawyer while they struggle to find
their places in the world. Matthew Hardigree as neighbor, Charley,
and Galen McQuillen as Uncle Ben, both offer good characterizations.
Ava Kuykendall is a scene-stealer as the wild "Woman" that
Willy cavorts with in a Boston hotel room during flashbacks of his
"on the road" experiences as a salesman. The scene where
Biff discovers her in his father's hotel room is a heart-wrenching
reminder of a time when marital fidelity had real meaning. In that
regard, one suspects our culture has lost something of value in the
years since the play's debut.
Alex Bush, Erin Roche, Justin Felder, Brooke Roberts, Jodee Bruce,
and Nikki Delhomme all do well in supporting roles. A very versatile
split-level set (designed by Gilseth), good period costuming
(designed by Ms. Erlandson and Elizabeth Motherwell), and some fine
makeup work from designer, Karen Cox, were added production values.
This competition version of the play is a collection of scenes
running about forty minutes in length. I found this abridgement of
Miller's masterpiece to be troubling. The original play is full of
complicated flashbacks and intense interrelationships that generate
very powerful scenes. The full impact never seems to materialize in
this abbreviated production. There are some scenes where the actors
turn their backs to the audience and become difficult to hear. Never
the less, there are strong moments here, as in the hotel room
episode mentioned above, or in the raging scene that ensues when
Willy overhears his son talking about him. Dramatic sparks do fly,
Kramer's Willy drifts ably in a delusional world, and the young cast
offers plenty of talent that will, hopefully, move their efforts to
the next level of the competition.
E-Mail
David Dow Bentley III
Bentley’s columns, featured in newspapers
from the East Coast to the Gulf Coast, may be viewed on the website at
www.ThePeoplesCritic.com
while E-mail may be addressed to
ThePeoplesCritic@earthlink.net
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